2017 BMW M2 Coupe

BMW is in the last stages of producing the M2 Coupe and the Coupe will be released later in the Spring of this year. Though the M2 which was launched in 2014 to succeed the 1 Series Coupe, this vehicle can be associated with the E30 M3 as well as the 2002 Turbo both of the 70s.

Many enthusiasts urge that the M2 has what it takes to be considered a successor of these legendary machines on 4 wheels.

2017 BMW M2 Coupe Exterior

The 2017 BMW M2 Coupe exterior design is borrowed from both the M4 which seats above it and the M235i which seats below it. The M2 Coupe is more aggressive than the M235i. BMW has hooked it up with features similar to other M models as the automaker wants it to be recognized as an M-car.

At the front, the M2 borrows much from the M235i including the honeycomb grille and the huge air intakes. However, the M2 model comes with a unique bumper and an M badge at the center of the grille. Overall, the front exudes sportiness in all fronts; however, it is not as sporty as the M4. At the back, M-specific styling continues with deep sculpted horizontal character lines.

The rear also features vertical reflectors at each extreme which seem to mirror the front apron’s trapezoid design. The rear bumper is integrated with a sporty diffuser with the signature BMW M’s quad-exhaust pipes. On the sides, the 2-door coupe also receives M-specific touches.

The vehicle will be 176.2 inches long, 73 inches wide and 55.5 inches tall. It has a wheelbase of 106 inches. The vehicle suspension is lowered meaning it seats closer to the ground with a 4.8-inch ground clearance. The coupe will ride on double-spoke, 19-inch aluminum wheels. The vehicle is offered in 4 exterior colors i.e. Alpine White, Mineral Grey Metallic, Long Beach Blue Metallic and Black Sapphire Metallic.

2017 BMW M2 Coupe Interior

As you would expect of BMW, the interior of the M2 Coupe is handsomely packaged. The cabin is driver-centered and is equipped with M-specific features. For the 2017 model year, the M2 features M-badged sports seats in place of standard seats in the outgoing model. The seats are upholstered in black Dakota leather and have a blue contrast stitching. The seats also feature adjustable side bolsters which enhance support while speeding down he tracks.

The steering wheel is also wrapped in Dakota leather and features a blue contrast stitching. The blue stitching continues on the M-spec shifter and on the knee pad. The dashboard looks similar to other 2 Series models but the M2 Coupe features carbon-fiber inserts around the A/C vents on the driver’s side and above its glove compartment. The center console also features carbon-fiber trimming.

Other features include an instruments cluster with M2-specific needles and dials, a speedometer with a scale of up to 200 mph as well as a tachometer with a reading of up to 800 rpm which indicates the car’s huge potential. M logos are featured on several surfaces such as on the door sill plates and on the tachometer.

In terms of technology, the vehicle is well equipped with a M Laptimer app which records the engine’s speed, car’s speed, gear engaged at any time, steering angle, fuel consumption, lateral and longitudinal acceleration and other details which enable the drivers to improve their time on the tracks. It also features a GoPro app which is operated using iDrive touch controller to enable drivers to time their laps. This information is displayed on the vehicle’s Control Display.

Engine Specs and performance

Under the hood of the M2 Coupe, BMW has made things pretty exciting. The coupe features a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0 L, 6-cylinder engine that pumps 365 horses @ 6,500 rpm and 343 lb-ft of torque which is achieved from as low as 1,400 rpm.

The engine also features an over-boost function that adds 29 lb-ft of torque from 1,450 rpm to 4,750 rpm. If this engine seems familiar, it is because it is the same unit on the X4 M40i though it is tuned more aggressively in the M2. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission system which is offered as standard but there is an option for a 7-speed dual-clutch DCT system that features three driving modes (Comfort, Sport and the Sport+). The transmission system also features a launch control and the automaker’s Smoky Burnout function.

Models with the manual gearbox hit 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds while ones with the DCT system are slightly quicker at 4.2 seconds. All models regardless of the transmission have a limited top speed of 155 mph.

Price and release date

Though BMW has already announced prices for the M2 in Europe, pricing for the US market is still a secret. In Europe, the coupe has a starting price of $ 67,200 in between the M235i which starts at $ 53,500 and the M4 Coupe which has a starting price of $ 87,000.

The models will be cheaper in the US; therefore assuming the M2 will have a 25% premium over the M235i, then the M2 Coupe will have a starting price of around $ 55,000 MSRP. The 2017 BMW M2 Coupe is expected to hit showrooms in the US in the Spring. The first show is scheduled for 2016 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

New BMW M2 street test image

Competition

When the 2017 BMW M2 Coupe comes out, it will have to contend with the Porsche Cayman GT4 and the usual suspects from its German competitors in the form of Audi S3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG.